Whoever seeks to assassinate or depose a monarch must remain constantly prepared to defend himself, and his sword will never be able to return to its scabbard.
His King, against whom when yee drawe the sword, ye must throw the scabberd into the riuer.
[1604 R. Dallington View of France F3V]
Who draweth his sword against his Prince, must throw away the scabbard.
[1659 J. Howell Proverbs (English) 17]
[The Military] must still fear the results of a fall from power. ‥‘Whosoever draws his sword against the prince must throw the scabbard away’‥pithily express[es] the logic of the situation.
[1962 S. E. Finer Man on Horseback viii.]
Related to: hope and despair; rulers and ruled
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
